The Detroit Lions played the early game on Thanksgiving Day. The Saints played on the following Sunday, while the Lions were off. That gave the Lions 10 days, to the Saints' seven, to prepare when the two teams met.

It didn't help the Lions any... it won't help the Falcons.

Danno

12-14-2011 06:16 PM

I think with the new CBA rules they don't actually get any extra practices.

The coaches can review more film, but they'll practice the same amount we do.

Film review and healing up an extra 3 days is really the only advantage, but what could they possibly see on film that they don't already know?

QBREES9

12-14-2011 06:17 PM

The coaches can review more film, but they'll practice the same amount we do.

LOL

AlaskaSaints

12-14-2011 07:49 PM

Collective hell.

Next they'll limit touches
Limit consecutive plays that a player has to play
Require huddles between plays
Establish OSHA standards for the washing of soiled uniforms
Limit cleat length
etcetera, etcetera, etcetera

The end of the NFL I tell you.

Alaska

homerj07

12-14-2011 08:34 PM

It still sucks that they did this to us twice in the same year!!

Mardigras9

12-15-2011 09:25 AM

Hopefully it gives the dirty birds 10 days to dwell on losing to the Jags.

iceshack149

12-15-2011 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mardigras9
(Post 356977)

Hopefully it gives the dirty birds 10 days to dwell on losing to the Jags.

And ten days to be frightened of the Saints well oiled machine in the Dome.

SaintsBro

12-15-2011 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerj07
(Post 356874)

It still sucks that they did this to us twice in the same year!!

I think there is a good chance they did this particular bit of scheduling on purpose, to attempt to give the Falcons a bit of an edge or a better chance going into the Dome against the Saints -- remember this is one of the league's "money" rivalries, one of the closest/best divisions in the league, very high ratings whenever the Saints play in prime time, etc. BUT the Saints have dominated the series 9-2, which is NOT what the league wants. Anything the league can do behind the scenes, to manipulate and try and give the Falcons a better shot, they will do it. The real reason is because the league desperately wants the Panthers/Saints and Falcons/Bucs games in the last weekend to MEAN SOMETHING. This has been a big priority of the league in the past few years, to try and get rid of those meaningless games in the last weekend where the starters don't play, and this is just one small way they are trying to manipulate and accomplish that. The league wants PARITY; they don't want a series that the Saints dominate 9 games to 2. They don't want the Saints OR the Falcons to win the division before the last weekend... So if that means jigging the schedule to give the Falcons extra time to prepare for their toughest game against their toughest division opponent, since the Falcons are the weaker team the league will try and give it to them.